Meta Aims for Quest to Be the Android of Virtual Reality

The Meta Quest 3 may not have been grabbing headlines much this year, and recent updates to its hardware and apps probably won’t change that. Still, there’s more to the Quest story than meets the eye. Behind the scenes, something intriguing is developing within the Quest ecosystem, especially if you’ve been keeping up with the news. Meta’s software team revealed to Gizmodo that their ambitious plans for VR revolve around creating an open and diverse platform, much like Android.

In a brief chat, Sarah Malkin, Meta’s director of metaverse entertainment content, shared that the goal for Quest is to expand. This means more apps, more experiences, and ideally, more headsets—ones that Meta doesn’t necessarily have to manufacture themselves. Back in April, Meta announced the launch of Horizon OS as a standalone VR ecosystem, with companies like Lenovo and Asus already developing headsets to accommodate Meta’s new operating system.

Malkin expressed confidence in Meta’s approach: “We’re thrilled to have others join us in the VR space, including Apple, but we firmly believe we’re the premier destination for developers because we offer the widest reach and the most diverse options.”

Gizmodo pointed out that this strategy is all about consumer choice: “Having multiple companies using the same OS is precisely why Android works.”

Malkin chimed in with agreement, adding, “Yes, exactly.”

Meta’s aim is clear: They’re investing heavily to offer a broader range of experiences. “We feel really confident that we’re the primary place people would want to build because we’re reaching the most people with the most variety,” Malkin reiterated.

For years, Meta’s vision of the metaverse has been somewhat elusive since Facebook transitioned to Meta. Now, amid the tech industry’s AI craze, Meta’s headsets have become increasingly open. Game Pass and SteamVR are effortlessly accessible on the Quest through individual apps. The game library is vast, and the user experience is more refined than ever.

The growth that Meta seeks is likely to come from third-party developers. With a head start owing to Oculus and Quest’s legacy, alongside more affordable pricing compared to competitors like the Apple Vision Pro, Meta needs fresh content on Quest—and fast.

### What’s New on Meta Quest 3, and Does it Really Change Anything?

The latest Horizon updates for the Meta Quest 3 don’t introduce any groundbreaking changes. Among the new features is the ability to stream Netflix through the browser rather than relying on the outdated app that capped at 480p. There’s also a new travel mode, which enhances WiFi connectivity in-flight and minimizes turbulence-induced shakes, while you try not to dwell on the kid playing footsie with the back of your seat. You can find this feature under Experimental in the headset’s quick settings.

Some existing apps now have additional modes. Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs introduces a mixed reality slingshot, while Beat Saber boasts OST 7 with a mix of returning and new artist tracks. There’s a fresh Daft Punk-inspired neon setting called “Collider,” and Supernatural, a fitness app, now offers mixed reality modes where your coach can appear in your living room instead of a cloudy void.

Though these features are modest, Meta let me test them out. The Meta Quest 3 started strong as a wireless VR setup with impressive AR capabilities, and despite some bumps after launch, it’s getting better—not revolutionary, but definitely more polished.

Supernatural’s VR workout offers a more intense session than your typical Beat Saber game. With excellent body and hand tracking, it encourages full-body movement. Even as someone with limited boxing experience, I found myself sweating enough to create the notorious forehead ring. Despite being engaging, it felt familiar. If you’re hoping for groundbreaking new features, you might have to be patient.

Meanwhile, Meta began deploying the v66 update to address some passthrough distortion and enhance hand-tracking abilities for Quest 3’s mixed reality. It’s also adding a “wrist button” for easy menu access within apps and games.

In Meta’s demos, the Quests weren’t updated to v66, and my own Quest 3 hasn’t received it yet. Still, the units I tried ran smoothly, save for a minor glitch in Quest 3’s menu. I’ve tried both the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro and the $500 Quest 3, and while Apple’s headset boasts superior aesthetics and tracking, it’s not seven times the price better.

### What Needs to Come Next for Quest to Win VR

Let’s face it, VR workouts or streaming Netflix through a headset aren’t for everyone. The demos didn’t introduce anything groundbreaking, but they did remind us that Quest 3’s hardware is continuously improving, reaffirming Meta’s commitment to VR.

There’s a bigger picture in the evolving Meta Quest landscape. Horizon OS is a call for partnerships. With evidence pointing to Microsoft’s involvement—highlighted by the Xbox-themed Quest 3—we might learn more at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 9.

Apple is set to reveal a significant visionOS update for Vision Pro at WWDC 2024. Given the waning enthusiasm for Apple’s recent release, this could be crucial. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently reported dwindling demand for Apple’s headset. Earlier this year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took a jab at Apple, asserting that Meta’s VR tech offered more bang for the buck. However, Meta needs Apple in the VR space. Malkin mentioned Meta’s aim to develop lighter, longer-lasting headsets that are easier for social interactions, aligning with Apple’s vision, though Vision Pro outweighs the Quest 3.

Meta benefits from Apple’s presence, much like Google did with its open platform push against Apple’s closed systems. Apple might build a niche through its walled garden and faithful following, but will need new hardware sooner rather than later. Meanwhile, Meta should focus on enhancing HorizonOS. Consider how Sony expanded PlayStation’s VR2 to include PC access, trailing Meta’s support for Game Pass and SteamVR via its wireless headset. An open OS and consumer choice foster long-term success. Hopefully, as Meta spends billions (a reported $3.85 billion in losses for its Reality Labs last quarter) on its metaverse dreams, that lesson isn’t lost.